Meet the latest CowParade exhibit – ‘Trusty the Surrey Hills Cow’

27/01/2016

The latest addition to the CowParade herd was unveiled today at Coverwood Farm, the official CowParade HQ. Affectionately named ‘Trusty the Surrey Hills Cow’ by Chairman of the Surrey Hills Trust Fund, Neil Maltby, the Cow was designed to help raise awareness and understanding of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Neil Maltby comments;
“I’m delighted with the design of ‘Trusty the Cow’. I felt strongly that this was a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the Surrey Hills landscape and the organisations that are in place to help protect this special area. ‘Trusty’ will not only form part of CowParade Surrey but will also help us longer term to promote and educate people about the Surrey Hills when we take her around the County to shows and events.“

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Designed and painted by local artist Ali Clarke, who took her inspiration from the established Surrey Hills trademark and the rolling hills, Ali comments;
“’The design for the Surrey Hills cow was inspired directly by the established brand of the organisation. The trademark represents the undulating Surrey Hills landscape and was inspired by the work of Walter Bailey the sculptor commissioned for the boundary markers and artworks across the AONB. The fluid shapes transfer so well on the undulating form of the cow. It was apt that I should paint this alongside real cows on a farm in the heart of the Surrey Hills.”

‘Trusty’ is the second cow to be officially unveiled, with lots more planned in the coming months.

CowParade Surrey is the world’s largest public art event and will see cow’s positioned around Surrey from May-September. The idea is that each cow is ‘Sponsored’ by a businesses, school or charity and decorated by a local artist. The cows, which can be standing, sitting or grazing, will then be herded to the inaugural Surrey Hills Food, Drink and Music Festival on September 3 where they will be auctioned off for charity. Those judged to be extra special will be auctioned at a gala dinner held at a unique London location later in the year. Cow ‘sponsors’ can choose a charity of their own to benefit from half of the auction proceeds, with the other 50 per cent going to the Surrey Hills Trust Fund, a charity established to conserve and protect the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, leaving a legacy for generations to come. The fund supports local community projects and enterprise schemes that benefit and enhance the Surrey Hills landscape.

CowParade Surrey has already secured offers of support from key organisations including the National Trust, schools and Surrey businesses such as Sandown Park Racecourse. The event will be driven by Coverwood Lakes & Farm and Surrey Hills Enterprises and has support from The Community Foundation for Surrey and the backing of Surrey County Council.

CowParade was born in Switzerland in 1998 and has been staged in more than 80 cities and towns worldwide. Over the years 3,000 cows have been decorated by more than 5,000 artists. CowParade New York had 450 cows and was seen worldwide by 45 million people. The highest-grossing cow was created by designer John Rocha for CowParade Dublin in 2003 – studded with thousands of pieces of Waterford Crystal it was auctioned for $146,000 – quite a lot of moo-lah indeed!

For more information on how to take part call the Surrey Hills CowParade team on 01483 661150 or visit the website at www.cowparadesurreyhills.com